STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2340

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3232

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3232 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Universal School Meals Special Fund to accept deposits of Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that hunger and food insecurity can be major barriers to education for school students in the State. Providing nutritious school meals for students can reduce stigma and lead to better health, behavioral, and learning outcomes. This measure would establish a sustainable foundation for the Department of Education to provide a universal school meals program to support improved outcomes for students in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3232 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair